Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 04 Jul 2017
Safety of Riders and Horses on Rural Roads
"I thank my right hon. Friend for her intervention; she is absolutely right, and I was pleased to meet the BHS today to discuss its concerns. A lot of the work, including this debate, that we have been doing over the past couple of years with Debbie Smith, the British …..."Derek Thomas - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 04 Jul 2017
Safety of Riders and Horses on Rural Roads
"I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention. I live in west Cornwall, where most of the roads are very narrow and horses and riders enjoy their valuable and important pursuit. It is absolutely right that we raise awareness and help drivers to understand that horses are living beings—they have …..."Derek Thomas - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 04 Jul 2017
Safety of Riders and Horses on Rural Roads
"Certainly, although I would like to make some progress this afternoon...."Derek Thomas - View Speech
View all Derek Thomas (Con - St Ives) contributions to the debate on: Safety of Riders and Horses on Rural Roads
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 04 Jul 2017
Safety of Riders and Horses on Rural Roads
"Certainly. I am glad to do that and work with whoever across this House and the various organisations to raise awareness about the dangers on our roads. My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and I thank him very much.
Yesterday, this debate was subject to a House of Commons digital …..."Derek Thomas - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 04 Jul 2017
Safety of Riders and Horses on Rural Roads
"I will not cite any statistics, but in the debate yesterday many people raised that very point. There is a perception that people on horses are not necessarily welcome on the road. We need to understand and address that. My personal belief is that nearly everyone is a taxpayer, so …..."Derek Thomas - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 04 Jul 2017
Safety of Riders and Horses on Rural Roads
"I thank my hon. Friend for that good intervention. I am sure he will have the opportunity to raise the matter with the Department. My concern particularly relates to rural roads, because narrow unmarked roads present a particular hazard to horse riders, but I take his point; I hope the …..."Derek Thomas - View Speech
View all Derek Thomas (Con - St Ives) contributions to the debate on: Safety of Riders and Horses on Rural Roads
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 04 Jul 2017
Safety of Riders and Horses on Rural Roads
"I thank the Minister for his response. We know our communities are working together. That includes groups such as the Pass Wide and Slow campaign and the British Horse Society, but also cycling and motorcycling groups. They are bring forward sensible recommendations and ideas, and I look forward to seeing …..."Derek Thomas - View Speech
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Written Question
Wednesday 26th April 2017
Asked by:
Derek Thomas (Conservative - St Ives)
Question
to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to prevent taxi drivers from discriminating against disability assistance dogs.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Under the Equality Act 2010 it is illegal for the driver of a taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV) to refuse to carry an assistance dog unless they hold a medical exemption certificate issued by the local licensing authority. It is unacceptable that drivers continue to refuse assistance dogs and I strongly encourage licensing authorities to take robust action against those who are unwilling to comply. Courts already have powers to impose fines up to £1,000.
Guidance has previously been issued to licensing authorities to support their implementation of these legal protections, and we are currently reviewing Best Practice Guidance which will include strengthened recommendations relating to authorities’ response to alleged instances of assistance dog refusal.
Written Question
Wednesday 26th April 2017
Asked by:
Derek Thomas (Conservative - St Ives)
Question
to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to make taxis more accessible for disabled people.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department recognises the vital services that taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) provide for many disabled people, and is taking a number of steps to ensure that they are accessible to everyone that wishes to use them.
The Department recently amended the law to make it a criminal offence for drivers of designated taxi and private hire vehicles to refuse to carry passengers in wheelchairs, to fail to provide them with appropriate assistance, or to charge them extra, unless they hold a medical exemption certificate issued by the local licensing authority.
In addition, the Department plans to consult shortly on revised Best Practice Guidance for local licensing authorities, which will include strengthened recommendations relating to the provision of disability awareness training for taxi and private hire vehicle drivers and to authorities’ response to alleged instances of assistance dog refusal.
Written Question
Wednesday 26th April 2017
Asked by:
Derek Thomas (Conservative - St Ives)
Question
to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve the safety of cyclists on roads.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The government sees its role as setting the overall framework for road safety through the British Road Safety Statement. Local authorities, the police, the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales and others all have an important role to play to complement this framework. The recently published Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy sets out our objective to reduce the rate of cyclists killed or seriously injured on England’s roads by 2020.